Dock or bulkhead construction.



M. M. UPSON.

DOCK 0R BULKHEAD CONSTRUCTION. APPLICATION-FILED NOV. 18, 1911.

Patented June 25, 1912.

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MAXWELL M. UPSON, 0F ENGLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY.

DOCK OR BULKHEAD CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 25, 1912..

Application filed November 18, 1911. Serial No. 660,989.

To all whom it may c0ncern Be it known that I, MAXWELL M. UPSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Englewood, Bergen county, and State of have invented certain new and useful linproven'ients in Dock or Bulkhead Construction, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to wharf or bulkhead construction, and its object is to attain a cheap and durable construction, especially adapted for use in tide waters.

Asis well known, sound timber that is entirely submerged in water which is not infested with T credo or Limnora or the like, has a long life; but, if alternately submerged and exposed rots quickly. Hence, wooden piles are durable only to the extent to which they are entirely submerged; likewise, the structure supported by the piles is of much less durability above the mean low tide line than below it.

Concrete has been used in pile and wharf construction instead of wood, but it is more expensive, and I have found that, unless the concrete is thoroughly set before being submerged, it is seriously injured by contact with salt water.

My present invention utilizes both wood and concrete in dock or wharf construction, but I employ each in such manner as to get the greatest advantage at the minimum cost.

In carrying out my invention, I use wood for such parts as are to be completely submerged, concrete forms that have been thoroughly set for the parts that are submerged and exposed alternately, while the dock pavement or floor may be concrete molded in place, or other desired construction.

In the accompanying drawings, in which a single typical example is illustrated, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 2 a top plan view of a pier or bulkhead embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a detail.

In carrying out my invention, I first drive into the bottom of the bay or other tidewater a series of wooden piles 1, 1, in sets of three, more or less, as indicated, and preferably arranged in double rows; so that, for example, groups of six piles are associated together. Longitudinally of each row are placed squared wooden beams 3, resting upon or otherwise secured to the heads of the piles; and transverse to the wooden beams 3 extend. cross-beams ,2, be-

direction of tween adj acent rows of piles, the beams 2 being likewise secured to the pile-heads. Thus, in the type illustrated,- six pile heads are associated, by their interconnecting beams, into a pier-head, or group, and each group is connected with others by the longitudinal and cross-beams. The piles are so cut or driven that the top of the beam-structure 2, 3-is approximately at or preferably a little below the mean low water line a-b.' The upper sides of the beams are so cut, or laid, as to form a suitable saddle or seat to receive the pedestal, or block, 4, of the concrete supporting column 5, which block and column are so proportioned as to extend from about the mean low water line a-ZJ to a point above the high water line 0-d,' so that these supports 4, 5, are alternately submerged and exposed as the tide rises and falls. It is essential to have the concrete of pedestal and column 4, 5 completely set, or hardened, before emplacement upon the piles; for the density of the concreteis injuriously affected by exposure to salt water while setting. Upon the columns 5 is built a slab-and-girder type of floor construction,

of concrete molded in position; or any other type of dock flooring may be substituted.

It is obvious that the construction described may be extended indefinitely longitudinally and laterally; and that its details may be varied widely without departing from my invention. Equivalents for the specific means illustrated will occur readily to those skilled in the art.

In order to hold the pedestals against longitudinal and vertical movement, I may form two of the sides of the pedestal with a beveled lower portion, as shown in Fig. 3, and the beams 3, 3 may be similarly beveled. In Fig. 1 is shown a corresponding, but reversed, bevel on the two opposite sides of the pedestal, the beams 2, 2, being fitted to them, and bolted to the beams, 3, as by bolts, 6.

The pedestal and column pieces 4, 5, may be made separately or molded in a single piece, and are preferably provided with metal reinforcements in a manner well understood in the art. But it is very advantageous that the parts 4:, 5, be premolded, not molded in place, and that they be thoroughly hardened and set before being put in place.

What I claim as my invention is,

1. In a dock, the combination of wooden piles that are substantially submerged at lowwater, beams mounted upon said piles, pre

piles that are substantially submerged at low water, longitudinal wooden beams mounted upon and connecting piles in each row, cross beams of wood connecting piles in adjacent rows, premolded concrete pedestals seated upon the piles between the.

cross-beams, premolded concrete columns upon said pedestals and extending upward to high water mark, and flooring supported by said pillars, substantially as described.

ing a group of wooden piles substantially submerged at low water, longitudinal and transverse beams secured to the tops of said piles and arranged to form a saddle or seat,

premolded concrete piers mounted in said saddle or seat and extending to high water mark, said piers being arranged to support the dock or flooring.

4:. In a dock, the combination of wooden piles substantially submerged at low water, said piles being arranged in groups spaced symmetrically and capped with wooden beams, a premolded concrete member mounted upon each group of piles, and a flooring supported by said concrete member, substantially as described.

5. In a dock, the combination of wooden piles substantially submerged at low water, longitudinal and transverse beams secured to the tops of said piles and arranged to form a saddle or seat, premolded concrete pedestals seated upon the piles between the cross-beams, means for preventing longitudinal and vertical displacement of said pedestals, premolded concrete columns upon 3. A un1t for dock construction comprls-v said pedestals and extending upward to high water mark, and flooring supported by said pillars, substantially as described.

In. testimony whereof I afliX my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MAXWELL M. UPSON. Witnesses:

M. LAWSON DYER, THOMAS J. BYRNE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

